Why study Marine Biology? This Marine Biology unit is part of a semester long Oceanography elective course, offered to junior and senior students. Often, students enroll in this course to be used as an exploratory introduction into careers associated with Oceanography in general. Students begin the course with a detailed look at the physical aspects of oceanography such as, water chemistry, currents, tides, and ocean floor topography. The Marine Biology unit introduces students to the biological aspects of the study of Oceanography. The unit follows a logical flow from general to more specific starting with general descriptions of marine ecosystems, and marine taxonomy, and working its way into detailed exploration of specific marine organisms. The study of organisms also follows a logical pattern working from the least complex, smallest organisms, plankton, and moves to more complex, larger organisms, invertebrates (arthropods, echinoderms, mollusks etc.), to vertebrates (cetaceans, pinnipeds, and sirenia). After introducing students to basic Marine Biology concepts, and organisms the unit delves deeper into Marine career exploration, starting with lessons detailing the job of a deep sea research scientist. Other careers to be discussed include Marine Mammal Trainer, Aquarist, Rescue and Rehabilitation, Veterinarian, and many more. Upon completion of the unit students will take a field trip to the Mystic Aquarium, where they will be exposed to Marine organisms, get a special behind-the-scenes sneak peek, and be exposed to many of the Marine careers discussed in class.
This Marine Biology unit is part of a semester long Oceanography elective course, offered to junior and senior students. Often, students enroll in this course to be used as an exploratory introduction into careers associated with Oceanography in general. Students begin the course with a detailed look at the physical aspects of oceanography such as, water chemistry, currents, tides, and ocean floor topography. The Marine Biology unit introduces students to the biological aspects of the study of Oceanography. The unit follows a logical flow from general to more specific starting with general descriptions of marine ecosystems, and marine taxonomy, and working its way into detailed exploration of specific marine organisms. The study of organisms also follows a logical pattern working from the least complex, smallest organisms, plankton, and moves to more complex, larger organisms, invertebrates (arthropods, echinoderms, mollusks etc.), to vertebrates (cetaceans, pinnipeds, and sirenia). After introducing students to basic Marine Biology concepts, and organisms the unit delves deeper into Marine career exploration, starting with lessons detailing the job of a deep sea research scientist. Other careers to be discussed include Marine Mammal Trainer, Aquarist, Rescue and Rehabilitation, Veterinarian, and many more. Upon completion of the unit students will take a field trip to the Mystic Aquarium, where they will be exposed to Marine organisms, get a special behind-the-scenes sneak peek, and be exposed to many of the Marine careers discussed in class.